Police Blotter: Search Warrant Leads to Drugs, Weapons

Three weeks after a man who tossed a gun during a police chase was arrested, officers searched his Watsonville home and reportedly found another weapon and evidence the man had been selling marijuana, Watsonville police reported.

Antonio Chavez, 20, was re-arrested around 9:35 p.m. Thursday at his home, on the 100 block of Santa Clara Street, according to police Sgt. Eric Taylor.

The investigation began on March 21 when an officer patrolling late at night pulled over a vehicle on Roache Road near Green Valley Road. During the car stop, Chavez fled and an officer chased after him. Chavez pulled a loaded gun from the waistband of his pants and threw it under a parked car, according to Taylor.

Chavez was arrested then and the gun was recovered. He was jailed, but later was released because no charges were filed against him, Taylor reported.

Thursday night, Watsonville police officers searched Chavez's house for gang-related items and weapons, and also served an arrest warrant on Chavez for the earlier gun possession incident, according to Taylor.

The search of Chavez's house and vehicle turned up evidence of marijuana sales, an additional weapon and numerous items of gang indicia, Taylor reported. He likely will face additional charges. 

Sheriff's Office Log, Thursday, April 12

12:01 a.m.—A man who'd been beaten up on the levee the night before spoke with deputies on the 2200 block of East Lake Avenue but didn't share information about who had attacked him. His injuries weren't serious. Deputies were unable to locate the crime scene or identify suspects.

Watsonville Police Log, Thursday, April 12

7 a.m.—A vandal wrote graffiti on the back wall of a convalescent home on the 900 block of Freedom Boulevard. Police have a suspect.

6:08 p.m.—A 25-year-old woman pulled over on Freedom Boulevard and Lincoln Street got a ticket for an outstanding warrant.

8:03 p.m.—A thief broke into a car and tried to steal the car stereo. Police recovered fingerprints and DNA evidence from the vehicle, on the 200 block of East Beach Street.

10:58 p.m.—A 32-year-old man was arrested for DUI and driving without a license on the 100 block of Ohlone Parkway.